Sinuous Fin Bumper Assembly for Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle bumpers face a design challenge in achieving the right stiffness for both low-speed damageability and pedestrian protection, as existing protocols often create competing design principles, requiring a solution that can adapt stiffness based on vehicle speed to effectively absorb energy during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A bumper assembly featuring a sinuous-shaped fin structure supported by a bumper beam, which absorbs energy through axial deformation, providing high stiffness at low speeds and low stiffness at high speeds, allowing for specific deformation characteristics to meet various impact test protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bumper stiffness is increased to prevent damage at low speed, then low-speed damageability is improved, but pedestrian protection is worsened due to insufficient energy absorption at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper incorporates a fin structure that dynamically changes its stiffness characteristics based on impact conditions. The fin can transition from a rigid state during low-speed impacts to a more compliant state during high-speed impacts, allowing the bumper to adapt its mechanical properties in real-time rather than maintaining a fixed stiffness level
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the fin structure through controlled deformation. During impact, the fin transitions from an upright configuration to a bent or folded configuration, fundamentally altering its stiffness parameter and energy absorption capacity based on the impact severity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bumper stiffness is decreased to absorb energy during pedestrian impact, then pedestrian protection is improved, but low-speed damageability is worsened due to insufficient structural rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structure serves as a dynamic element that adjusts its mechanical response based on impact conditions. During high-speed pedestrian impacts, the fin becomes more compliant to enhance energy absorption, while during low-speed impacts, it maintains structural rigidity to prevent damage
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is segmented into the main bumper beam and the detachable fin structure. This segmentation allows the fin to independently deform and absorb energy during impacts, while the main bumper beam maintains structural integrity and stiffness for low-speed damageability requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If a single stiffness value is used for the bumper, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but performance across different impact scenarios is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than manufacturing multiple bumper variants with different stiffness values, the invention uses a single fin structure design that dynamically adapts its stiffness through deformation. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving adaptability across different impact scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The fin structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support during low-speed impacts, acts as an energy absorption mechanism during high-speed pedestrian impacts, and maintains aerodynamic fairness. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for different impact scenarios
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sinuous fin design effectively absorbs energy during both low-speed and high-speed impacts, satisfying different test protocols by adjusting stiffness accordingly, thereby enhancing both low-speed damageability and pedestrian protection.
Implementation Method 1
The fin has a sinuous shape in a cross section normal to the axis, wherein the fin absorbs energy from an object during an impact, deforming toward the bumper beam
Data Source
AI summary
A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a fin supported by the bumper beam. The fin has a proximate end proximate to the bumper beam and a distal end distal to the bumper beam and an axis extending from the proximate end to the distal end. The fin has a sinuous shape in a cross section normal to the axis.